The Staffordshire Link

 Friday 14th June 2024 at Penkridge.

Initially, we had bright skies; it didn't last!.

Tixall Lock is the first lock when heading south and it is in such a pretty rural setting with its lockside cottage, which is still inhabited.

Work on the Staffordshire Link, which will eventually take a branch of the canal into the centre of Stafford, has come on apace since we passed here last autumn. A signpost optimistically points the way. When completed, it will prove a great filip for Stafford, which sorely needs rejuvenating.

The land between the canal and the River Sow is owned by Mrs Finney, who also owns nearby Amerton Farm. She has leased the land to the restoration group for 100 years at £1 per year. In recognition of this, the new lock that will take the canal down to the river has been named "Finney's Lock".

The basin between the canal and the new lock is almost complete but the group still has to build a vehicle bridge to carry vehicles across the link to the canal. They have just been donated 10,000 bricks to help with the bridge construction. Completion, however, is still some years in the future.

M couldn't resist walking across this grass covered bridge next to Broom Bridge Lock.

When we arrived in Penkridge, the skies looked very threatening. M walked ahead to check for moorings as close to the road as possible because Simon, our engineer, is coming to service MM tomorrow. M found a lovely mooring but, as she waited for MM to arrive, typically the heavens opened and M got very wet.

In between the rain showers, we walked into the centre of Penkridge for a "few bits" and also bought some cakes from the renowned "Jaspers" bakery.

Today: 9 miles, 6 locks and 4.7 hours.

Trip: 28 miles, 27 locks and 18.7 hours.